WyCo program teaches juvenile offenders that dental health affects their future | Opinion

Rarely do we consider the simple act of brushing our teeth as a catalyst for change. However, Kathy Hunt, dental program director for nonprofit Oral Health Kansas, and Terri Broadus, administrator for the Wyandotte County Juvenile Detention Center, have found that educating incarcerated youth about oral health goes beyond mere hygiene — it’s about restoring dignity and nurturing responsibility.

The inspiration for the program Success Begins with a Smile all started with a 16-year-old boy who required extensive restoration of his teeth because of methamphetamine use. Beyond his dental issues lay a narrative of neglect and the devastating consequences of substance use. Among children and adolescents age 10 to 17 in juvenile detention, nearly 48% need dental extractions because of dental disease. Yet, this young man’s story doesn’t end in tragedy — and it is creating change inside the walls of the detention center.

With expertise from Oral Health Kansas, financial support from the nonprofit CareSource and the commitment of the team at the Wyandotte County Juvenile Detention Center, dental hygienists Kathy Hunt and James Davis led an interactive training session for the young men in the facility. They shared how dietary habits, timing of meals and tooth brushing habits impact dental health, while emphasizing the correlation between poor oral health and its adverse effects on individuals’ ability to secure and keep a job. Even the most skeptical teenagers were engaged in activities that created a link between their oral care and overall health.

Renee Downing, an instructor with the Wyandotte County Juvenile Detention Center, said the students were engaged and enlightened by the interactive presentation. She shared that even weeks after the session, students were still talking about their increased awareness and better oral health habits because of what they learned.

The success of this initiative is evident not only in the young people’s immediate enthusiasm but also in the measurable improvement in knowledge and behaviors revealed through tests before and after the workshop. After the session, more than 80% of the participants said they believe having healthy teeth is important — a 12% increase from the baseline — and 100% of them said they learned something about oral health through the training.

These sessions signify a commitment to preventive care, with 96% of participants sharing that they intend to make one positive behavior change related to their oral health, and 83% saying they would make two or more positive behavior changes, laying the foundation for long-term well-being.

Chad Moore, president of CareSource Kansas, emphasized the partnership’s importance, stating: “We are dedicated to assisting underserved individuals in recognizing the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being. We appreciate the opportunity to support Oral Health Kansas and the Wyandotte County Juvenile Detention Center to provide essential education tailored to the community’s needs as they spearhead this important initiative.”

This partnership promises not just to improve the health care prospects of the participants from the Wyandotte County Juvenile Detention Center, but to set a benchmark for similar initiatives across juvenile detention facilities nationwide — truly embodying the notion that every significant journey, including those of rehabilitation and hope, can indeed begin with a healthy smile.

Tanya Dorf Brunner is executive director of Oral Health Kansas, a Topeka-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit devoted to improving oral health in Kansas through advocacy, public awareness and education.